A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Monday indicates that 51 percent of Americans approve of the job Obama is doing in the White House, with 48 percent saying they disapprove.

Washington (CNN) – Passage of the landmark health care bill appears to have boosted President Barack Obama's approval rating, but it has not affected his re-election chances so far, according to a new national poll.

A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Monday indicates that 51 percent of Americans approve of the job Obama is doing in the White House, with 48 percent saying they disapprove. That 51 percent approval rating is up five points from a week ago, before Congress approved the health care reform bill and the president signed the legislation into law. Four in ten respondents say they disapprove because Obama is too liberal and 6 percent say they the president is not liberal enough.

Eighty-six percent of Democrats questioned say they approve of the job Obama is doing, a surge of 12 points over the past week. The poll indicates that 47 percent of Independents approve of the president's performance, up 6 points in a week, and 12 percent of Republicans give him the thumbs up, basically unchanged from a week ago.

"Some parts of the Democratic base, particularly lower-income Americans and union households, appear to be coming back into the fold," says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. "Obama's approval rating changed the most among Americans who make less than $25,000 a year - the group that is most likely to benefit from the new health care law."
Among union households, the president's approval rating soared 9 points to 58 percent.

Health care appears to be behind the jump in Obama's overall rating. While the president's ratings on the economy and foreign affairs remained static over the past week, his numbers on how he's dealing with health care rose five points to 45 percent, although a majority still disapprove of how he's handling the issue.

"But short-term gains for Obama don't necessarily translate into long-term strength," adds Holland. "In a hypothetical 2012 presidential election match-up, Obama and an unnamed Republican are virtually tied, with no significant change between last week's poll and this one."

A CNN survey released earlier Monday indicates that 56 percent of the public disapproves of the new health care legislation, with 42 percent approving. On Tuesday, the president is set to sign into law a companion bill that makes changes to the main legislation he signed last week.

More than three in ten questioned say they dislike most of the bill, with one in four saying they oppose all of the provisions of the new law. Fifteen percent say they approve of the new law without reservation, with another one in four saying they support the new reforms but feel they didn't go far enough.

When it comes to health care, Republicans have made "repeal and replace" their battle cry, and Obama has said he welcomes the fight. At an event in Iowa City, Iowa, last week, the president scoffed at the GOP strategy. "My attitude is - go for it," he said.

According to the poll, 47 percent agree with the Republican strategy and want Congress to repeal most of the major provisions in the law and replace them with new proposals. But 50 percent are fine with the current law or want Congress to go back and pass something that would increase the government's involvement in health care even more.

Forty-seven percent of respondents say that this is a major victory for Obama, and another one in five call it a minor accomplishment and one in three say it was not a positive development.
The CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll was conducted Thursday through Sunday, with 1,009 adult Americans questioned by telephone. The survey's overall sampling error is plus or minus three percentage points.

–CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.

soundoff(263 Responses)

How can you tell what this means. 4 in 10 disapprove because he is too liberal (that's 40%, but of what?).

Six percent disapprove because he's not liberal enough. Six percent of whom?

March 29, 2010 07:13 pm at 7:13 pm |

Joe

"it will be entertaing to here all the lefties applaud this poll,"

Indeed, it is entertaining to HEAR all the right-wing nitwits, who can't even write.
"here" is not the same as "hear." Apparently, English is a complicated language. It would help to get an education...

March 29, 2010 07:15 pm at 7:15 pm |

TSRVT

Someone mentioned a poll by Rasmussen. They have been exposed as right-leaning and therefore have zero credibility. I'm pleased that the intelligent people in this country are starting to tune out the teabaggers and other right-wing nitnits.

March 29, 2010 07:15 pm at 7:15 pm |

Dave, the Truthteller

Once the working people have to foot the bill for this, his polls will plummet even more...

March 29, 2010 07:15 pm at 7:15 pm |

bts

I heard that 47% of Independents polled would vote for an unnamed Republican in 2012. My only question is ...TO... DO... WHAT ?!!!! They've got NOTHING on Obama !

March 29, 2010 07:16 pm at 7:16 pm |

JASON COOPER

here we go, it must no be true because it doesnt reflect what the weirdo republicans want it to say!

March 29, 2010 07:16 pm at 7:16 pm |

Angela Omulepu

Remember when we had a president with approval ratings in the twenties and teens? Oh the dark days of the Bush administration–are those the days that the republicans romanticize? Keep up the good work President Obama, we, the American people, more than half of us, stand with you.

March 29, 2010 07:17 pm at 7:17 pm |

Pierre

I'd like to know where this poll is so I can cast my vote of disapproval. I only make $20K a year and even I can see the horribal path this country is going towards with the passing of this bill.

Wow, it has got to be said, the GOP attacks ,well, looks like they backfired!!!

March 29, 2010 07:18 pm at 7:18 pm |

Anonymous

The people who on the receiving end of government wealth redistribution presently are quite happy about current events. These are the same people who took out $400K mortgages with $50K incomes. We can lump in the banks, insurance companies, and the auto industry too.
There's not enough income to cover all the current unfunded entitlements and to add to the list is notoriously irresponsible. This is typical behaviour from polititians in general and especially Democrats. They are simply buying votes with other peoples money.
Sooner or later debts will have to be paid. There are a dozen states at risk of fiscal instability including 4 of the 5 largest states.
We are only a year away from a total world-wide economic collapse that is currenly propped up with addtional government debt. If it happens again, which is likely since nothing has been done to fix the systemic risk the government will not have the wherewithall to do anything about it. Keep sticking your head in the sand.
GOOD LUCK!

March 29, 2010 07:19 pm at 7:19 pm |

Cynthia

For all you people who think that ObamaCare has you paying for someone else. You were already paying for someone else before this bill came into effect. The insurance companies had you fooled. Get the facts and stop listening to Faux News and Rush Limbaugh. Go Obama 2012. Finally a President for the people!

March 29, 2010 07:21 pm at 7:21 pm |

Ken

Thank you Mr. President for representing the hard working middle class. No matter how hard I work things become more difficult as the inequality gap in America grows. Its great that someone in government is there not to be a parent and watch over us but to be friend and lend a hand when we need it. I will continue to work hard throughout my life but it is nice to know our president is making sure that our version of the America dream is a larger reality now than it was before.

March 29, 2010 07:22 pm at 7:22 pm |

anonymous

yeah. way to approve the guy who wants to and will destroy america and run out the doctors. woohoo!

March 29, 2010 07:23 pm at 7:23 pm |

Robert

What EXACTLY was asked in this poll? Or rather, what was left out?
That this health-care bill claims to address real issues (like pre-existing conditions), then its supported by most people; That this bill means higher taxes, bigger goverment, and penalties for choosing NOT to buy health insurance (to name a few), then most Americans are less than enthustiastic - and downright scared - of this bill.

March 29, 2010 07:23 pm at 7:23 pm |

Sharon

Gosh, John, who do you think is paying for your Medicare coverage? And Barry, I live in California, and I think Obama is doing a fine job, especially, since he had such a mess on his hands, when he was elected! People who are making over $250K a year can afford to pay more in taxes. And the small business owners are going to get tax credits for paying their employee's premiums. Why not see what the bill actually has in it, before being so negative?

March 29, 2010 07:24 pm at 7:24 pm |

George from NJ

It appears that the GOP is shooting itself in the foot. Instead of saying "Let's make it better," they're pushing "Repeal and replace" yet their only replacement suggestion is the status quo. If the Dems really want a landslide victory, they need an updated "Daisy" commercial.

March 29, 2010 07:26 pm at 7:26 pm |

Crazy ass human being

who gives a rat's patotti?

March 29, 2010 07:26 pm at 7:26 pm |

annie s

I can't speak for those polled, but I can speak for myself and my family and we approve of this President and are proud to have voted for him. He is truly is out there working hard for the American people. When the people the conservatives terrified with their lies see that the sky is not falling, that there are no death panels and that no one is taking away anything from them, I suspect the healthcare bill will become more popular too.

March 29, 2010 07:26 pm at 7:26 pm |

J Miller

I'am for the bill it's going to take time give it a chance. If your happy with your present care keep it and shut up.it will have to be adjusted as time goes on but it's a start , not like the last president didn't have the balls to address health care . he could hardly make a speech.the only poll that counts will be in November.this tea party may back fire on the GOP then what.Whos leading it Palin and Macain what now they agree on each others policys too late.they are the the best weapons the Dems have keep going.

March 29, 2010 07:27 pm at 7:27 pm |

Alive in GA

The same people who are against the President on these blogs are the same ones who never believed that he would win. Not only did he win the election, he has has brought change to America.

When he wins re-election in 2012, those same nay sayers will spend the next term saying the same old negative things.

Welcome to the real world. The past will remain in the past. Get over it. Change has come to America.

March 29, 2010 07:27 pm at 7:27 pm |

lib

President Obama's approval ratings are much higher than that. Just wait until the Immigration law passes when he signs more people into citizenship to this country. LOL for the republicans. WHile Sarah palin and her teabaggers are viciously loud and ignorant and feel that only whites own this country, we real Americans of all colors are quietly gathing up our votes for the best president this country has ever had. A man who takes care of all Americans and not the rich. 2012 will once again be victorious for President Obama.